Multiple position reciprocating switch construction



MULTIPLE POSITION RECIPROCATING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 25, 19s@ sheet ef 2 wel; no? T. s 719/ e .aeree-y' F. SA/TCH ALBERT A. a5 0R/ March 4, 1969 w. T. sTol ET AL MULTIPLE POSITION RECIPROCATING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 25, 1966 Sheet INVENTORS WAL Tf/P T. STO/ HARRY E SKEf/f j /lE/QTP. 7i/ ORME YM/mmf! fl/7 M United States Patent O 3,431,371 MULTIPLE POSITION RECIPROCATING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Walter T. Stoi, Warren, Albert R. De Lorme, Detroit, and Harry F. Sketch, Hamtramck, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Essex Wire Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 597,154 U.S. Cl. 200-16 14 Claims Int. Cl. H01h 3/14, 15/02, 13/64 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A switch having an axially reciprocable actuator movable from a normal position to and through a second position to a third position, and return, and on which is fixed a cylindrical conductor having conductive and nonconductive zones. Surrounding the actuator are three contact elements lso oriented with `respect to the conductive and nonconductive zones of the conductor that when the actuator is in its first position one of the three contact elements is in a nonconductive zone, when the actuator is in its second position all of the contact elements are in the conductive zone, and when the actuator is in its third position none of the contact elements are in the conductive zone.

This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to a reciprocating switch having a plurality of positions any one or more of which may be electrically operative or inoperative as desired.

Reciprocable switches of the kind known heretofore commonly have one ON position and one OFF position to either of which an operating plunger or the like may be moved and either be maintained in that position or returned automatically to its original position. In the operation of certain kinds of electrical apparatus, however, it is desirable to make use of a reciprocable switch having a plurality of ON or OFF positions. One object of this invention, therefore, is to provide such a reciprocable switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reciprocable switch having multiple positions of adjustment and provided with means for enabling sensing of the position to which the switch has been adjusted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch wherein the circuit controlled by the switch may be activated or deactivated in response to adjustment of the switch from one position to another and wherein the switch may be returned to its original position without affecting the circuit condition established by the first adjustment of the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the character described wherein the switch may be adjusted to a still further position and thereby restore the circuit to its original condition and in which return of the switch to its original position will effect restoration of the circuit to the condition in elfect prior to the adjustment of the switch to its still further position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, sectional View of a switch constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the switch in its rst or normal position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating the switch in an adjusted position;

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to FIGURE 2, but illustrating the switch in a still further adjusted position;

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FIGURES 4, Sand 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 4--4, 5-5 and 6 6, respectively, of FIGURES l, 2 and 3;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, isometric view of a of the apparatus; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic Wiring diagram.

A switch constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a tubular support member 1 formed of nsulating material such as nylon or the like and having a bore 2 therein terminating at one end in a chamber 3. Fitted in the chamber is a cup-shaped member 4 formed of insulating material and having its inner end seated on a shoulder S formed in the support 1. The member 4 is restrained against rotation relative to the support 1 by suitable means such as a key and keyway (not shown). Molded in the member 4 is a plurality of electrically conductive, spring leaf contacts 7, 8 and 9 and arranged circumferentially about the chamber 3 and spaced 120 from each other. Conductive wires 10, 11 and 12 are secured to corresponding ends of the contact 7, 8 and 9, respectively, and extend through the bore 2 of the support 1.

Reciprocably mounted in the chamber 3 is an actuating member designated generally by the reference character 13 and comprising an operating body 14 formed of suitable insulating material and terminating at its inner end in a reduced stem 15 having a central bore 16 therein. Secured in the bore 16 is a projection 17 forming part of a rod 18 formed of insulating material and which extends in prolongation of the stem 15. The rod 18 is slideably accommodated in a bore 19 formed in the member 4.

Fixed on the stem 15 axial alignment with the blades 7, 8 and 9 is an annular conductor 20. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the inner end of the member 20- has one notch 21 therein and the opposite or outer end has three notches 22, 23 and 24 therein. The several notches provide non-conductive zones for a purpose presently to be explained. Those portions of the members 14 and 18 adjacent the notches are provided with radially extending lugs which are accommodated in the notches so as to preclude rotation of the member 20 relative to the actuating member 13.

The actuator body 14 has an annular shoulder 25 between its ends which is adapted to bear against a snap ring 26 that is mounted in a recess 27 formed in a support 1, the shoulder 25 and the snap ring 26 cooperating to prevent inadvertent removal of the actuator 13 from the support 1, but the body 14 projects suiciently far beyond the corresponding end of the support 1 to enable manual movement of the body axially into the support 1.

A compression spring 28 is interposed between the member 4 and the body 14 and acts on the actuator 13 so as constantly, but yieldably, to bias the latter to the projected position shown in FIGURE 1. The actuator 13, however, is capable of being displaced from the position shown in FIGURE l to either of the positions shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The members 1 and 13 may be restrained against relative rotation by suitable means such as a key and keyway (not shown).

Inasmuch as there are three positions of adjustment of thel actuating member 13, it is important that it be possible to sense the intermediate position of the actuator Accordingly, sensing means is provided and comprises a socket 29 formed in the body 14 and in which is mounted a detent or ball 30 that is adapted to enter an axial groove 31 formed in the member 1, the inner end of the groove being tapered inwardly to form an abutment or detent 32. A spring 33 reacts between the base of the socket 29 and the ball 30 so as constantly, but yieldably, to urge the latter in a direction to seat on the groove31.

portion The arrangement is such that, when the actuator member has been moved from its normal position shown in FIG- URE 1 to its intermediate position shown in FIGURE 2., the ball 30 will engage the abutment 32 and arrest further movement of the actuator until sufficient force is applied on the latter to cause the ball 30 to move into the socket 29 against the force of the spring 33. The arresting force thus applied on the member 13 can be sensed by the operator.

A typical circuit adapted to be controlled by the switch herein disclosed is illustrated in FIGURE 8. As disclosed, the blade contact 7 is connected by the wire 10 through a fuse 34 to one terminal of a source of electrical energy, such as a battery B, the other terminal of which is grounded. The blade contact 9 is connected by the wire 11 to the coil 35 of a relay 36 and thence to ground. The blade contact 8 is connected by the wire 12 through a normally closed switch S to one terminal of the relay 36, the opposite terminal of which is connected by a wire 37 to one terminal of a solenoid 38 or other part to be operated. The opposite terminal of the part 38 is connected to ground. A wire 39 bridges the wires 11 and 37.

When the apparatus is in condition for operation, the actuating member 13 will be in its first position, as shown in FIGURE 1, and the switch S will be closed. In this position of the actuator, the contacts 7 and 8 will be in engagement with the conductor 20, but no energy will be supplied to the part 38 inasmuch as the terminals of the relay 36 are open. The contact 9 will occupy the nonconductive zone of the conductor at the notch 21.

When the actuator 13 is shifted from its first position to its second position as shown in FIGURE 2, the conductor 20 will move relatively to the contacts 7, 8 and 9 so that all three contacts engage the conductor 20, as is indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 8. In these positions of the parts, a circuit will be completed from the battery B through the contacts 7, 8 and 9, and through the conductor 20 to the relay 36 so as to actuate the latter and close its terminals, whereupon energy will be supplied to the part 38. The conductor 39 provides an alternate path for current to the part 38.

If the operator releases the actuator 13 when it is in its intermediate position, the spring 28 will restore the actuator to its original position so as to return the contact 9 to the non-conductive zone of the notch 21 in the conductor 20. Nevertheless, energy will continue to be supplied to the part 38 via the bridging conductor 39. In this position of the actuator, the part 38 can be disconnected permanently from the circuit by opening of the switch S.

The part 38 may be disconnected temporarily from the circuit by movement of the actuator 13 to its third position as indicated in FIGURE 3. In this position of the actuator all three contacts 7, 8 and 9 will occupy nonconductive zones created by the notches 22, 23 and 24 in the conductor 20 as also is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 8, thereby disconnecting the battery B from the remainder of the circuit. Upon release of the actuator 13 by the operator, however, all three contacts 7, S and 9 will re-engage the conductive portions of the conductor 20 as the latter returns to its initial position so as to reenergize the relay 36 and reestablish electrical connection to the part 38.

Upon movement of the actuator 13 beyond the intermediate position toward the third position shown in FIG- URE 3, the ball 30 will compress the spring 33 and enter the bore 29. When the force on the actuator is released to permit the spring 28 to restore the actuator to its initial position, the ball 30 will snap into the groove 31, thereby enabling the operator to sense the intermediate position.

A switch of the kind herein disclosed may have many applications, one of which is in conjunction with apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicle speed regulating device. For example, the part 38 may `constitute a throttle control solenoid which will function to maintain a throttle setting as long as the part 38 is electrically energized. In such an arrangement, the switch S may be controlled by the brake pedal of the vehicle so as to be opened whenever the brake pedal is depressed.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but the disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. A switch construction comprising a support member;

a plurality of fixed contact elements carried by said support member; an actuating lmember; means mounting said actuating member for reciprocating movements relative to said Contact elements from a first position to and through a second position to a third position, and return; and a conductive member fixed to said actuating member for movement therewith relative to said Contact elements, said conductive member having conductive and nonconductive zones so located with respect to said contact elements that in one of said positions of said actuating member none of said contact elements engages said conductive Zone, in another of said positions of said actuating memfber all of said contact elements engage said conductive zone, and in the last of said positions at least one but less than all of said contact elements engage said conductive zone. Y 2. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said contact elements are three in numlber and wherein said nonconductive zones lare so located that two of said contact elements engage said conductive zone when said actuating member is in said first position, all of said contact elements engage said conductive zone when said actuating member is in said second position, and none of said contact elements engages said conductive zone when said actuating member is in said third position.

3. The construction set forth in claim 1 including means acting on said actuating member and constantly biasing the latter to said first position.

4. The construction set forth in claim 1 including detent means carried by said actuating and support members cooperable in response to movement of said actuating member relative to said support member from said first position toward said third position to arrest said actuating memlber in said second position.

5. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said contact elements coimprises a blade and wherein said blades are arranged in a circle about said actuating memlber.

6. The construction set forth in claim` 5 wherein said conductive member comprises a generally cylindrical part in axial alignment with said blades.

7. A switch construction comprising a support member; an actuating member; means mounting said actuating member on said support member for reciprocating movements from a first position to second and third positions, and return; an annular conductive element fixed on one of said members; a plurality of contacts carried by the other of said members and spaced circumferentially about said conductive element for engagement therewith, said conductive element having zones of non-conductivity arranged to engage selected ones of said contacts in response to movement of said actuating member from said first position to the second iand third positions; and means acting on said actuating member constantly biasing the latter to said first position.

8. The construction set forth in claim 7 wherein said zones are so arranged that at least one of said contacts occupies one of said zones when said actuating member is in said first position and all of said contacts occupy another of said zones Awhen said actuating member is in another of said positions.

9. The construction set forth in claim 8 wherein said zones are so arranged that none of said contacts occupy any of said zones when said actuating member is in still another of said positions.

yoperable detent means on each of said memlbers engagealble with one another in response to movement of said actuating member from said first position to arrest said actuating member in said second position.

12. An electric switch construction comprising a support member; an actuating member; tmeans mounting said actuating member for reciprocating movement from an initial position to a plurality of other positions and return; a conductive element fixed on said actuating member for movement therewith; and electrically conductive contacts carried by said support member for engagement with said conductive element, said conductive element having nonconductive zones at selected areas thereof and so arranged that in each position of said actuating member the nfumber of said contacts in conductive engagement with said conductive element is different.

13. The construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said conductive element is annular.

14. The construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said nondconductive zones are provided by openings formed in said conductive element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,285 10/ 1962 Steinbruner 200--159XR 10 3,187,133 6/1965 Pierce 200-159l XR 1,887,883 11/ 1932 Churcher 200-163 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

15 H. BURKS, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. C1. X.R. ZOO-159 

